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Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a leading cloud platform globally, and in South Africa, AWS partners play a crucial role in enabling businesses to leverage cloud solutions effectively. These partners, integral to the AWS ecosystem, offer specialized services that help organizations integrate AWS technologies seamlessly into their operations. The Strategic Importance of AWS Partners Expertise …
Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health coverage, explores the reasons behind loneliness and how it affects health and well-being. “Many of us experience loneliness from time to time. Loneliness is a personal feeling; thus, everyone’s experience will vary,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. “Contrary to some belief, loneliness is not synonymous …
Several gender-based violence shelters in the province were forced to close because of uncertainty over their funding from the Department of Social Development
Eskom reaches significant milestone in curbing load shedding
Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says the end of load shedding is “within touching distance”.
This after Eskom achieved an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 65.5% on Wednesday.
In a post on the power utility's Facebook social media platform, Ramokgopa said: “[This] marks a significant milestone in resolving the energy deficit [load shedding] in the country. Eskom’s achievement of an Energy Availability Factor of 65.5%, last attained in 2021, confirms the success of the aggressive maintenance-led recovery strategy, despite its inherent risks [short-term pain for long-term gain]”.
He added that reaching an EAF of 65.5% validates the viability of the power utility’s fleet and “signifies the most efficient path to ending load shedding”.
“With the proven success of this performance, the focus now shifts to maintaining and enhancing it. The return of Medupi Unit 4 (800MW), Koeberg Unit 2 (980MW) and the synchronisation of Kusile Unit 6 (800MW), a total of 2580 MW in the next 6 months, is a welcomed addition to generation capacity.
“These orchestrated improvements and new capacity means that we have breached peak load shedding. The state-incentivised rooftop solar rollout, on track to reach installed capacity of 6 000MW by year end, is an indispensable part of the energy calculus in the country. Government induced - through a suite of thoroughgoing reforms - private sector sponsored new generation capacity is critical to the attainment of energy sovereignty.
“We have indeed turned the corner, the ending of load shedding is within touching distance,” Ramokgopa said.
Also in a post on the social media platform, X, Eskom said it had now reached 35 consecutive days of no load shedding and highlighted the work done to reach an Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) of just over 10 000MW.
“[Our] UCLF, also known as unplanned outages, has reached 10 966 MW. This achievement by our generation team represents a significant milestone in our Generation Operational Recovery Plan and has contributed to an energy availability factor of 65% since midnight.
“We are now 35 days into the suspension of load shedding, thanks to our team’s sustained and deliberate efforts,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 05/02/2024 - 09:06
Post Covid-19, the conversation about mental health has opened up in many companies. They have wellness days to coincide with World Mental Health Day, put on lunches and give out goodie bags. Employees get a breather to attend talks from experts, dance, laugh, and learn stress relief techniques. But have you ever wondered why, despite …
Township agriculture programme launched to address food insecurity
In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity and uplifting township communities, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has launched a programme aimed at equipping residents with the knowledge and resources necessary to cultivate healthy and nutritious crops in their neighbourhoods.
The Township Agriculture Programme aims to maximise food production in small spaces, promote a healthy ecosystem and increase biodiversity in urban areas.
Speaking at the event held at KwaMashu in the north of Durban on Tuesday, Dube-Ncube highlighted the programme’s dual purpose of combating hunger and fostering economic growth within township settings.
“With an innovative approach, the Township Agriculture Programme seeks to harness the untapped potential of urban spaces, promoting sustainable agricultural practices to maximise food production.
“Beyond merely providing sustenance, the initiative aims to cultivate a sense of community pride and self-sufficiency, empowering residents to take control of their food sources and contribute to the local economy,” Dube-Ncube said.
The Premier said township agriculture is a catalyst for social and economic empowerment, with a particular emphasis on supporting marginalised groups.
The program also aims to provide opportunities for women, youth, individuals with disabilities, and child-headed households to actively participate in agricultural activities, thereby promoting inclusivity and resilience within township communities.
To facilitate the implementation of township agricultural projects, government has allocated R6 million in funding, signalling its dedication to supporting grassroots initiatives.
“Plans are already underway to expand the Township Agriculture Programme to encompass major townships across KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring widespread access to resources and opportunities for all residents,” Dube-Ncube said.
Rabies Awareness Campaign
During the launch, Dube-Ncube also led a Rabies Awareness Campaign, which saw the vaccination of pets against rabies.
The campaign emphasises responsible pet ownership to prevent unnecessary human deaths.
Since January 2023, the province has recorded 233 cases of rabies and seven human deaths.
“In total 17 people have died of rabies with the majority of the deaths occurring in eThekwini,” Dube-Ncube said.
The Premier urged community members to bring their pets for vaccination and inspection, emphasising the critical role of responsible pet ownership in safeguarding public health. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 05/01/2024 - 11:12
Black business called to be part of rebuilding SA economy
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on black business and black industrialists to be part of efforts to rebuild the country’s economy.
President Ramaphosa made the call at the Black Business Council (BBC) gala dinner held at Kempton Park in Johannesburg on Tuesday night.
He warned that without investment there can be no jobs, and without job creation on a large scale “our prospects for achieving full economic transformation are diminished”.
“By strategically investing in the economy we are laying the groundwork for prosperity, connectivity, and opportunity across our nation. Green industrialisation is an area of opportunity for black business,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President said government is prioritising the production of electric vehicles, green hydrogen production, and the processing of critical minerals essential for the battery value chain.
In February 2024, the President announced a comprehensive set of incentives designed to spur investment in these critical sectors, which will be rolled out over a ten-year period.
The incentives will stimulate innovation, attract private capital, and accelerate the adoption of green technologies, ensuring a just and equitable transition towards a sustainable future.
By embracing green industrialisation and promoting a just transition, the President said government is not only safeguarding the country’s environment but also fostering economic resilience and creating new opportunities for the workforce.
The President said as part of government’s commitment to fostering economic inclusion and levelling the playing field, the Competition Commission will continue to embark on market inquiries across the economy.
“These inquiries are aimed at addressing high levels of economic concentration and encouraging greater participation by small businesses. By identifying barriers to entry and promoting fair competition, we will create opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to our economy.
“These initiatives underscore our dedication to promoting economic empowerment, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating a more inclusive and equitable economy,” President Ramaphosa said.
He noted that over the past 30 years, South Africa has undergone deep, fundamental, and irreversible change.
Black business has been a valued partner along this journey and he said he has no doubt it will continue to be so for time to come.
He noted that government’s relationship with the Black Business Council has deepened since the sixth administration took office in 2019. “I think I can say with confidence that it is also stronger,” he added.
President Ramaphosa commended the council for responding to the call he made during his inauguration speech five years ago for all South Africans to join government in setting its sights high on a future of growth and economic opportunity.
“You have rallied both with us and around us as government, in what has been a turbulent period marked by a global pandemic, civil unrest, natural disaster, crises in energy and logistics, and slow economic growth that has been further exacerbated by all the aforementioned challenges.
“We also know that as the sixth administration took office, we were also confronted with the task of rebuilding capacity in key state institutions practically from the ground up, following the devastating years of state capture,” the President said.
What has been immensely encouraging is that the door of engagement has always remained open, he said, adding that engagements have been productive and have always taken place in a positive spirit of partnership.
“As we look to the future with optimism, let us continue to work together on this journey towards a fully transformed economy where no one is left behind,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 05/01/2024 - 12:46
Mashatile calls on leaders from all sectors to build SA's economy
Leaders from all sectors of society must join hands to build a resilient economy and fight corruption, says the Deputy President, Paul Mashatile.
“We must collaborate, with each playing a distinctive part, to generate employment and boost trade and investment between our nations, the continent and the world,” he told delegates during a dialogue on the role of leadership in fostering economic growth, hosted by the African United Business Confederation (AUBC).
The roundtable dialogue held on Tuesday focused on the role of leadership in economic growth.
The Deputy President said he believed that effective leadership significantly affects the economic landscape of nations and societies.
“We are convinced that to build our economy, leaders from all sectors, including business, politics, government, and civil society, must work together,” he said.
“Our roles are all important, and if one lags behind, it will affect the growth of our economy. It is our duty as political leaders in government to formulate policies that promote an environment conducive to economic growth.”
The country’s second-in-command said effective economic policies can stimulate innovation, promote entrepreneurship and drive innovation.
“As you may have observed, since the advent of democracy, we have created political stability by promoting free and fair elections, which will continue to be the case in the upcoming election on 29 May 2024.”
The Deputy President said a stable political environment is critical for investor confidence and economic growth.
He told the private sector leaders that they have a responsibility to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, both of which are vital to economic expansion and job creation.
In addition, he said, the private sector is key to enhancing the competitiveness of the South African economy.
“Together, as leaders, we possess the foresight to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and make strategic decisions that drive sustainable economic development.”
He acknowledged that despite attaining political freedom and substantial advancements since 1994, South Africa is yet to realise economic freedom and an economy that adequately provides for the majority of its population.
“As present-day leaders across various sectors of our society, we must set aside our differences and concentrate on fully rousing the potential of South Africa’s economy.
“We must proactively address socio-economic challenges such as high unemployment, poverty, inequality and corruption.”
Corruption
He added that in order to reach the goal of ending poverty and boosting economic growth set out in the National Development Plan, “we must all work together to fight corruption and support accountability, openness, and good government”.
The fight against corruption should be multifaceted, involving both the public and private sectors.
“We have to strengthen anti-corruption partnerships, intensify efforts, and promote a zero-tolerance approach to corruption led by capable leaders, who are resilient, highly adaptable and willing to implement bold reforms to surmount our challenges and transform the economy.”
Inclusion
In addition, he called on leaders across sectors to be intentional in their inclusion of women, youth and other marginalised groups in economic reform efforts.
He also touched on the Red Tape Reduction Team introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa to improve the ease of doing business in the country and further stimulate business development.
“The team focuses on reducing red tape in priority areas such as mining rights, tourism operator licenses, travel visas, work permits, and the informal sector, aiming to create a competitive and vibrant economy.”
In addition, he said government has also reduced regulatory hurdles for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) and cooperatives, reduced VAT refund processing time from 15 weeks to four to five weeks and reduced the corporate income tax audit process from 32 weeks to 17 weeks.
“We have a collective role to play in paving the way for future generations of leaders to contribute to the transformation of our economy. Through strategic leadership, we unlock the countries’ potential, drive innovation, and create a better future.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 04/30/2024 - 12:32
As the world celebrates International Workers’ Day, on 01 May, Afrika Tikkun (AT) emphasizes the importance of skills development and adaptability in today’s rapidly evolving economy. Afrika Tikkun calls on workers to take charge of their skills development to remain relevant and valuable contributors to both their households and the economy. South Africa’s labour workforce …
In an effort to assess South Africa’s global reputation in various key areas, Brand South Africa conducted extensive research on the perceptions that other countries have on South Africa. A total of 17 countries were surveyed with over 9800 respondents and focused on brand audiences related to tourism, investment, talent, exports and general reputation. On …
Unlocking the Terrible Two’s: Navigating the Journey of Autonomy and Exploration – by Clarissa Louw, Headmistress of @Sandton Kids School Parents, educators and caregivers alike are intimately familiar with the term “terrible two’s”. It’s a phrase that often evokes images of tantrums, defiance, and exasperated parents. However, what if we reframed this perspective? What if …
Retractable banners are a popular choice for businesses and organizations looking to boost their visual marketing. These banners are not only cost-effective and easy to use, but they also offer great flexibility and can make a strong impression at trade shows, exhibitions, and other events. This guide explores the benefits of retractable banners and offers …
NCOP approves Climate Change Bill
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, has welcomed the approval of the Climate Change Bill by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
“Climate change is here, and we have relatively little time to respond. The Bill empowers us to respond at the necessary scale and speed, building on the considerable amount of work we have already done,” the Minister said on Monday.
The objectives of the Climate Change Bill are, among others, to enable the development of an effective climate change response and a long-term just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society for South Africa in the context of sustainable development.
“The NCOP’s approval of the Climate Change Bill is a landmark in our response to climate change.
"Since 2011, when we outlined South Africa’s response to climate change in our National Climate Change Response White Paper, we have been putting in place the instruments for an integrated response. Now, this Bill will integrate all of these components into a robust legal framework, and mainstream climate action across government,” Creecy said.
The Minister said the Bill will provide the much-needed legal framework to regulate activities that contribute to climate change, ensure an effective response in all spheres of government and by the society at large, ensure a just transition, and maximize the opportunities afforded to the economy by the global shift to a green economy.
The Bill sets out to ensure that the climate actions are facilitated and coordinated across spheres of government.
“It establishes Provincial Forums on Climate Change and Municipal Forums on Climate Change, which will be integrated into current institutions and planning processes. It provides for the development of provincial and municipal climate change needs and response assessments, and corresponding climate change response implementation plans.
“The Bill places the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) on a formal footing as an independent organ of state to provide advisory on matters of just transition. The PCC will continue to be headed by the President, which sends a strong signal of South Africa’s commitment to addressing the complex challenges of responding to climate change and the urgency with which this needs to be achieved,” the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said.
It further provides clear frameworks for mitigation, adaptation and a mechanism to support and finance the country’s climate change response.
“On mitigation, the Bill provides for a just transition away from our current carbon-intensive energy system and towards a decarbonized economy and society, while meeting our critical development challenges.
"To achieve this, the Bill formalises our Greenhouse Gas Inventory to strengthen the evidence base for further climate action, and our current reporting processes.
“The Bill also provides for the development of a long-term national greenhouse gas emissions trajectory and its review from time to time, and establishes a clear legal basis for allocating sectoral emissions targets to relevant sectors, and carbon budgets to large emitters,” the department said.
On adaptation, the Bill provides for the establishment of national adaptation objectives, the development of climate scenarios to assess vulnerabilities, and a National Adaptation Strategy and Plan to manage adaptation in a clear and coordinated manner.
“The Bill provides the mechanisms to support and finance the climate change response, providing guidance and a governance framework to promote planning and implementation by national, provincial and local government.
"This will provide much-needed support to expedite our climate change response, thus climate-proofing our society and economy,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 04/29/2024 - 14:37
Presidency 'rejects' narrative on BHP, Anglo American proposed deal
The Presidency has moved to dismiss media speculation and reports that BHP Billiton’s proposed takeover of Anglo American, excluding South African assets, is a sign of reluctance to invest in the country.
This is according to Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya who was briefing the media in Pretoria on Monday.
Anglo American mines diamonds, Platinum Group Metals (PGM) and iron ore in South Africa.
“Some analysts and sections of the media have sought to portray this market activity as a vote of no confidence on South Africa. The Presidency rejects the notion that a commercial approach by BHP Billiton equals to a hostile environment for investors,” he said.
Magwenya said the issues cited in media that impact doing business in South Africa are being resolved “with the participation and partnership of business”.
“In June 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa along with members of his Cabinet and senior business leaders agreed to establish a partnership to reverse the economic downturn and rebuild confidence in the country’s trajectory.
“Three priorities were identified as undermining investor and societal confidence, namely: load shedding, the challenges in the freight logistics sector as well as crime and corruption.”
Magwenya said the collaborative government-business partnership has resulted in many initiatives including the Joint Initiative on Crime and Corruption (JICC).
“The [JICC] was established to drive collaborative efforts to tackle the most serious forms of crime and corruption and support government’s efforts to remove South Africa off the FATF [Financial Action Task Force] greylist. The [JICC] is an example of government’s commitment to work with social partners to foster a safer and a more ethical South Africa,” he said.
He told the media that government’s own efforts to rebuild the credibility of critical law enforcement has resulted in, among others, appointing new leadership in the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the State Security Agency (SSA) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
This has resulted in significant progress in the fight against corruption and crime including:
“While much still needs to be achieved to turn the tide around completely, the significant steps taken to rebuild credible institutions have begun to bear fruit and set the stage for further progress. President Ramaphosa will continue leading a multi-stakeholder effort to accelerate existing government interventions to address the scourge of crime and the impact on the economy.
“This partnership should reassure both local and foreign investors that considerable resources and expertise are being leveraged in government and in the private sector to curtail crime, continue improving the functionality of our ports and enable an investor and societal environment that fosters inclusive economic growth and prosperity,” he said.
Investment appetite
Magwenya pointed towards the success of the SA Investment Conference which, over five years, reached R1.5 trillion in investment pledges as an indicator of investment appetite in South Africa.
“President Ramaphosa also finds it satisfying that both domestic and international investors continue to demonstrate confidence towards South Africa through their continued investments as evidenced in the last few years and in exceeding the investment targets set at the beginning of the term. President Ramaphosa is confident that the rebuilt capacity of the state remains firm and focused on responding to crime and corruption.
“The Presidency would implore the investor community to note the optimism expressed by the business community in various publications and platform on the progress achieved across the three focal areas. This should reassure investors that momentum is building and will be maintained to reduce crime and corruption, continue improving energy supply and resolve logistic backlogs,” Magwenya said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 04/29/2024 - 15:00
President Ramaphosa's diary for the upcoming weeks
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to attend several events over the coming week.
This as the Presidency on Monday released the first citizen’s list of of public events, starting from Tuesday, 30 April to 9 May 2024.
National Orders
As Grand Patron of the National Orders, the President will on Tuesday, 30 April 2024, bestow the 2024 National Orders Awards on distinguished citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.
The National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its President, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals.
The President will bestow on deserving recipients the Order of Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe, and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.
Black Business Council Summit Dinner
The President is expected to deliver the keynote address at the annual Black Business Council (BBC) Summit Dinner to be held at the Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre, O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
The BBC is convened under the theme “30 Years of Democracy – lessons learned and plans for the next 30 Years."
The BBC is the over-arching confederation that represents black professionals, business associations and chambers.
The objective of the BBC is to lobby government on policy related matters and to play an advocacy role where policies are in place in order to accelerate the participation of black business in the mainstream economy.
Unveiling of Home Affairs trucks in Limpopo
President Cyril Ramaphosa will, on Tuesday, 7 May 2024, officially unveil 100 additional Home Affairs mobile trucks that will assist the Department of Home Affairs improvement its services reach to especially remote areas.
The unveiling of these mobile trucks in Mokopane, is made possible by the department’s approved Hybrid Access Model to ensure an expansion of services in areas where the department’s footprint is limited.
The approach is to increase the fleet by 100 every financial year until they reach 1000 from the current fleet of 120.
30 Years Review Report
On 8 May 2024, the President will attend the launch of the 30 Years of Democracy Review Report in Pretoria.
The report to be handed over to the President by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation will reflect on the political, social, and economic journey of transformation of South Africa since 1994, the advent of democracy, in order to derive lessons and make recommendations for the country’s development agenda.
The report will also provide critical evidence for the development of the new Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2024 – 2029, which serves as a five-year plan of government towards the implementation of the National Development Plan Vision 2030.
Presidential Imbizo
President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 9 May 2024, lead government’s interaction - in the form of a District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo - with communities and stakeholders within the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality in the Northern Cape province.
Themed "Leave No One Behind, the 12th Presidential Imbizo promotes participatory democracy and inclusive development by allowing community members and stakeholders to voice proposals and express any concerns or dissatisfaction they may have about conditions in the district or province.
The Imbizo is directed at enabling successful implementation of the “One District, One Plan” District Development Model in which residents, traditional leaders, business formations, organised labour and faith- and community-based organisations work with government across all phases of planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Preceding the Imbizo, there will be a series of build-up outreach activities led by Ministers, MECs and Mayors in parts of John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality and across the Northern Cape. - SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 04/29/2024 - 15:09
The President of Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), the continental governing body of Rugby across Africa, Herbert Mensah, will explore the business of sport in a panel discussion at the 2024 Africa CEO Forum (www.TheAfricaCEOForum.com) on Thursday, May 16 in Kigali, Rwanda.
In partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) (www.IFC.org), the Africa CEO Forum is the largest annual gathering of the African private sector. Each year, the Africa CEO Forum gathers more than 2,000 African and international captains of industry, public decision-makers and leading visionaries to debate the continent's most pressing priorities and set its business agenda.
Founded in 2012, the Africa CEO Forum has enabled dialogue between the public and private sector, bringing together business leaders, CEOs, investors and heads of state to highlight the driving role of the private sector in the development of the continent. Previous speakers include H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique and H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana.
Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa (www.NBA.com), will join Rugby Africa President, Herbert Mensah to delve into the business potential of Africa's sporting industry in the panel discussion at the Africa CEO Forum. Amid the success stories of the Basketball Africa League, Morocco's joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup, the establishment of the CAF Champions League, South Africa's Springboks victory as fourth time champions of the Rugby World Cup and the highly anticipated return of Formula 1 to the continent, Africa's sports industry is witnessing a boom. Given the global sports market's estimate of over $600 billion and a steady growth rate of 5% annually, Africa is seeking opportunities to transform and expand the sports industry.
The President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, continues to emphasize the business potential of rugby across Africa. Since his election, Mensah has called for a change of mindset from African governments and international organizations to increase investment in rugby across Africa. President Mensah has served as a keynote speaker at the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa 2023 and the 2023 Africa Investment Forum.
Watch the video of the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway: https://apo-opa.co/4bdaPql
Watch the video of the Africa Investment Forum: https://apo-opa.co/49UxCGt
The annual two-day Africa CEO Forum will commence on Thursday May 16 to Friday May 17 under the theme “At the Table or on the Menu? A Critical Moment to Shape a New Future for Africa” in Kigali, Rwanda.
Read more information about the Africa CEO Forum: www.TheAfricaCEOForum.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa.
Media contact:
Nicole Vervelde
Communications Advisor to the President of Rugby Africa
rugby@apo-opa.com
About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women's rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 39 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.
Editors may feel that rulings like this tie their hands when it comes to punchy headlines
Security plan in place for upcoming elections
With just 30 days left until South Africans head to the polls, government has assured citizens that the seventh National and Provincial Elections will be conducted in a safe and secure environment.
“As the government, we want to issue a stern warning to anyone with intentions to disrupt the elections that the law enforcement officers will deal with them decisively and will put them behind bars,” Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise said on Sunday in Pretoria.
Addressing a media briefing by the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, the Minister emphasised that no one has a right to intimidate and prevent others from exercising their Constitutional right to vote for a party of his or her choice.
“We want to assure the public of the readiness of the JCPS Cluster to execute its mandate of protecting the public, our country’s strategic installations and infrastructure during the election period. We will do everything in our power to protect all those who want to exercise their Constitutional right to vote,” the Minister said.
The 2024 General Elections are believed to be the most contested in the history of this country. Overall, 70 political parties are contesting the elections, 11 independent candidates, and the national contestants are 52.
In total, there are over 14, 903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the National and Provincial Legislatures.
“Our approach as the JCPS Cluster is to ensure coordinated and intelligence-led planning and operations pre-, during, and postelections where multi-departmental teams work together to ensure that all South Africans exercise their Constitutional rights without fear of intimidation or violence.
“This coordination is managed by National and Provincial JOINTS [ Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure] structures of the JCPS Cluster and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Inter-departmental Priority Committees were established in 2023 at both the National and Provincial levels to safety and security planning.
“Our law enforcement agencies have led in developing the national security plan which has been approved by the Ministers of the JCPS Cluster. NATJOINTS [National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure] has done a thorough threat and crime pattern analysis to inform the development of a security plan and they want to ensure that nothing is left to chance,” the Minister said.
Fit-for purpose
Based on the threat and crime pattern analysis, NATJOINTS has recommended a fit-for-purpose deployment plan that will deal with any potential threats of crime and violence in and around voting stations and national and provincial results centres.
“We have also put measures in place to protect all public facilities that will be used for voting, national key points and other essential infrastructure that might be targeted by criminal elements. In addition, the Criminal Matters Amendment Act of 2015 states that any person who tampers with or damages essential infrastructure is guilty of a criminal offence and he/she can be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years if found guilty
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) Ministry and SAPS management have conducted several oversite roadshows in all provinces where they met with the station commanders of all police stations and district commissioners to assess the SAPS state of readiness and preparedness to ensure safety and security.
“The management of SAPS and Ministry are satisfied with the level of readiness of all the provinces and districts to provide policing services pre-, during and post-the elections,” Modise said.
The elections will be policed within the relevant prescripts and laws and police officers will enforce the law accordingly.
“We want to reiterate that the security plan will be constantly reviewed as the situation changes and we will adapt as required. As the JCPS Cluster leadership, we want to send a clear message to the public that no incitement to violence, lawlessness, destruction of infrastructure, or barricading of roads will be tolerated. Anyone who participates in any form of criminal activity will be dealt with.
“We therefore reiterate to all South Africans that political rights for citizens are guaranteed and should not be violated. The JCPS will ensure that all the rights enshrined in the Constitution are not violated,” she said.
Among these rights are the rights to freedom, security, and protection from all forms of violence from either public or private sources.
“Although the Constitution allows all citizens to participate in protests, pickets and present petitions, those who participate in these activities must do so peacefully and not violate the rights of those who do not want to participate. Anyone who is found to have contravened these critical provisions of the Constitution during this period will be met with the full authority of the state,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 04/28/2024 - 11:18
Call for comments on draft Gas Master Plan
Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe has called on the public to contribute to the development of the policy document on the draft Gas Master Plan (GMP2024).
“The draft GMP2024 is a policy instrument that seeks to ensure security of gas supply by diversifying supply options from both local and international markets. It outlines the role of natural gas in the context of [the] energy mix and provides policy direction to the industry in South Africa,” the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy said on Friday.
The draft GMP2024 was published for public comments in the government Gazette No: 50569 of 26 April 2024.
“The plan considers the complete gas topology ranging from demand, supply, importation, infrastructure, and distribution networks. It recognises the critical role of natural gas in the country’s economy, and anticipates the infrastructure required for the delivery of gas at a point of consumption based on a least-cost model,” the department said.
Members of the public, stakeholders and industry experts are invited to contribute to the development of the policy document by submitting inputs and/or comments on the draft Gas Master Plan by no later than 15 June 2024.
The draft GMP2024 document is accessible on:
https://www.energy.gov.za/files/policies/Gas-Master-Plan2024-for-public-comment.pdf
Written comments may be addressed to the Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy either by post at Private Bag X 59, Arcadia, 0007; by hand at Travenna Campus, 71 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria,0002; or by email: GMP.Comments@dmre.gov.za
-SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 04/28/2024 - 12:16
Public urged to report crimes related to elections
Government has urged members of the public to report any crime related to elections to their nearest police station or Electoral Commission (IEC) offices.
“A protocol has been established between the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, South African Police Service (SAPS) Detectives and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to prioritise all election-related crimes,” Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise said on Sunday in Pretoria.
Addressing a media briefing by the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, the Minister said prosecutors stand ready to prosecute offences such as electoral fraud and corruption, removing or defacing political party and campaign posters, interfering with the duties of the electoral officials as well as forcing anyone to vote.
“Individuals who use social media and electronic platforms to send threatening messages, incite violence, or cause harm to others will be charged. When an individual creates a video or share a post to the public and where the post contains words, speech or conduct that may encourage others to commit public violence, the aforementioned post will make one guilty of the offence of inciting public violence and police will not hesitate to track the person down and hold you accountable,” Modise said.
The Minister appealed to political and community leaders to exercise caution when speaking on public platforms.
“Do not make inflammatory or threatening statements as you will be breaking the law and may also encourage others to carry out criminal activities.
“We urge the public to exercise caution before sharing the information with others. Ensure that you double-check the accuracy of the information and be aware of the unintended consequences of your actions. Members of the public should report any inflammatory statements to law enforcement agencies,” the Minister said at the briefing held in Pretoria.
She warned the public against sharing false, unverified information, rumours, or threats online or in person as that can have serious consequences.
It can incite violence, confuse voters, and undermine the democratic process.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has activated provincial disaster management teams to identify risks and put mitigation measures in place for any disasters that may occur pre, during and post the elections.
“The NDMC is working closely with the South African Weather Service to monitor the situation, early warning messages will be issued when necessary. On the day of the elections, these teams will be deployed for 24 hours to monitor the situation,” the Minister said.
Collection of Identity Documents
To assist voters with the process of application for new Identity Documents and Temporary Identity Certificates and the collection of these documents, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has opened its offices from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturdays from 06 April to 25 May 2024.
“In addition, Home Affairs will open its offices on voting day. Mobile offices are also scheduled to be opened in remote areas to assist with the application and collection processes. The department will engage with councillors and other community leaders to decide on the dates, times and venues of the operation of mobile offices.
“Citizens can also use the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS), which is available on the DHA website to book appointments to collect their Smart ID Cards and Green barcoded ID books. We encourage clients who have applied for identification documents and have received their SMS notifications, to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents.”
Modise encourage all eligible voters to go out in their numbers to the different voting stations on 29 May 2024 to cast their votes.
The 2024 General Elections are believed to be the most contested in the history of this country.
“Overall, 70 political parties are contesting these elections, 11 independent candidates, and the national contestants are 52. In total, there are over 14, 903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the National and Provincial Legislatures. Ensuring the safety and security of all voters and officials are of paramount importance,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 04/28/2024 - 11:49
Celebrating freedom in language
With South Africa today commemorating Freedom Day, the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) has highlighted the importance of individuals being able to express themselves in languages they understand.
“Today as we celebrate this remarkable milestone, it is essential to recognize that for democracy to flourish, linguistic diversity must be valued as a reliable guide towards the future. Engaging people in a language they understand is critical for genuine participation in democracy,” Chief Executive Officer of the PanSALB, Lance Schultz said on Saturday.
On 27 April 1994, South Africa changed forever as millions of people went to the polls to cast their vote in the first democratic elections.
Schultz’s comments come as President Cyril Ramaphosa led the 2024 Freedom Day national celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
“As we mark three decades since the transition from apartheid to democracy, it is worth celebrating the incredible progress we’ve made in recognizing and promoting linguistic diversity,” said the CEO.
He added that South Africa’s expansion from two official languages during the apartheid era to 12 in the new dispensation is a restatement to the great strides that have been made in safeguarding language rights.
“There is no doubt that one of the key aspects of democracy is engaging and communicating with people in languages that they understand and for the past 30 years, the right to use one’s own language has been protected,” said Schultz.
The PanSALB is entrusted with the Constitutional responsibility to ensure that all official languages enjoy priority of esteem and elevate the status of indigenous languages to be recognised as languages of science, technology, and business.
“Furthermore, it is PanSALB’s duty, within the socio-political system of South Africa to promote greater democratic participation by creating an environment where people engage in discussions over linguistic authority, knowledge production and self-determination through their use of language.”
Celebrated Under the theme: “30 Years of Democracy, Partnership, and Growth,” this year's Freedom Month celebrations hold special significance as they also coincide with the 28th anniversary of the enactment of the South African Constitution as the supreme law of the land. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sat, 04/27/2024 - 14:38
[Johannesburg, April 2024] – Nutritional Performance Labs (NPL), a leading name in sports nutrition, proudly announces its latest stride in the realm of elite sports partnerships. After cementing its status as the official supplement partner of the Emirates Lions in July 2023, NPL now extends its #YellowArmy alliance to include the revered Toyota Cheetahs. In …
Lesotho Highlands Tunnel closure will not affect water availability
Water and Sanitation Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips, has assured Gauteng residents that the planned closure of the Lesotho Highlands Water Tunnel for six months will not affect water supply to Rand Water and the availability of raw water.
Phillips was briefing the media in Pretoria on Friday on the planned maintenance work on transfer and delivery tunnels of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), which is scheduled to start from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.
The tunnel system includes a transfer tunnel, linking Katse Dam with Muela Power Station and Muela Dam, and a delivery tunnel linking Muela Dam with the Ash River Outfall Works between Clarens and Bethlehem.
Phillips said the inspections and maintenance of the tunnels must be conducted at intervals between five and 10 years.
“The last maintenance was conducted in 2019. During the shutdown of 2019 it was found that the steel liners in the tunnel urgently need extensive maintenance on both the Republic of South Africa and Lesotho side,” Phillips said.
The planned maintenance work is being overseen by the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission, a joint governance body between South Africa and Lesotho and will be jointly undertaken by the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency (LHDA) and the Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), which is an entity under Water and Sanitation Department.
Phillips said the work required to be undertaken during the shutdown period includes grit-blasting the steel-lined section around the entire circumference and re-applying corrosion protection on the tunnel lining, and other maintenance and repair work identified during the 2019 maintenance shutdown.
Phillips reiterated that the work to be undertaken requires a lot of time as it is expected to protect the infrastructure for another 20-30 years.
“This much-needed maintenance is critical to maintain the integrity of the delivery tunnels as a tunnel failure will risk the transfer of the 780 million m3/annum of water to the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS), from which Rand Water draws water to supply its customers. The six months period required to conduct maintenance is thus crucial to avoid any catastrophic event which may result from a lack of maintenance.”
On the impact of the maintenance work on the Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) and Rand Water, Phillips noted that 700 million m3 per annum will be transferred in 2024, a shortfall of 80 million m3 from the normal annual transfer volume.
After the shutdown period, he said, the water transfers will be increased to enable the shortfall in transfers to be recovered.
The Director-General said an analysis was undertaken in May 2023 to assess the risk to the IVRS’ performance due to the outage, and to determine the impact of the shutdown on water availability to users in South Africa.
“The analysis indicated the impact of the outage on the overall IVRS will be insignificant considering that dams in the IVRS such as the Sterkfontein Dam and others are relatively full.
“This means that the closure of the tunnel for maintenance will not result in any disruption of water supply to Rand Water, and to the municipalities in Gauteng and other provinces which are customers of Rand Water.
“The standard operating rule is that Sterkfontein Dam releases water to the Vaal Dam when the Vaal Dam reaches a minimum operating level of 18%. The department’s analysis indicates that this is unlikely to occur at any probability level in the 2023-2024 operating year. Hence, releases from Sterkfontein Dam to support the Vaal Dam are not envisaged for the current 2023-2024 operating year and Sterkfontein Dam remains full to date,” Phillips explained.
He said further analysis will be undertaken in May 2024 to ensure there are no likely risks to water supply from the IVRS in the 2024-2025 operating year.
“The fact that the Sterkfontein Dam is full means that it can provide a reserve supply of water to top up the Vaal Dam as needed.
“The shutdown will also not have any significant water supply implications for domestic users along the Liebenbergsvlei River and its tributaries in the Free State during that period.
“Licensed irrigators along the Liebenbergsvlei River and its tributaries will be provided with notices to restrict their abstraction during the shutdown period to certain days of the week, so that they abstract water from rivers fed by the Saulspoort Dam in a sustainable way during the tunnel closure,” Phillips said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 04/26/2024 - 12:24
Stage 2 load shedding anticipated for winter 2024
Eskom anticipates that load shedding will likely be “maintained within Stage 2” this winter period.
This is according to the power utility’s Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane, who was speaking during the State of the System and Winter Outlook media briefing held at Megawatt Park on Friday.
He said the forecast was made on the anticipation of the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) reaching 14 000MW during winter – down from the anticipated 15 000MW during the same period last year.
The UCLF is the rate at which generating units breakdown and do not perform optimally.
“For winter 2024… the likely scenario from our assumptions is that load shedding will be maintained within Stage 2 at most. In the extreme case where the unreliability increases, that component may go occasionally [to] Stage 5 but we really think that on the basis of what we see, the performance of the fleet, load shedding will stay within Stage 2.
“This is on the back of the decrease of the backline unreliability capacity reduction of 1 000MW which is what we use for our baseline assumptions,” he said.
Marokane said although the reduction may look minimal, it is critical for managing the intensity of load shedding.
“What is really important as we go into this season’s forecast is that the base level for UCLF number is lower by a 1000MW. When you understand the capacity that we have, it does not look as a big number but when you actually understand the implications in terms of the levels of load shedding, to be able to bank that capacity is an important aspect,” he said.
The CEO explained that the power utility has been hard at work to lower the UCLF.
“When you look at the time period between the last winter and now, you can actually see the reduction in unplanned losses – a 9% drop. It is mostly coming from the priority stations that were targeted as focal points.
“We also have the benefit of the early return of the four Kusile [Power Station] units that were out. The losses are averaging around 14.2GW. Our focus on targets in this financial year is to keep this below 14GW. This is where the first capacity release is coming from. The decline… is not as fast as we want to [and] our focal point this year is to deal with six or seven key areas that causes unreliability and once we tackle them we should be able to see ourselves comfortably at lower levels than this,” he said.
Marokane insisted that the power utility will be digging their boots in deeper this winter to further reduce losses at power stations.
He urged South Africans to do their part by using electricity efficiently and sparingly this winter.
“Over the winter period, work continues and we are targeting to reduce the unplanned losses by a further 1.7GW. This will be made up of 1.3GW from partial load loss reduction but also…demand side management initiatives are also underway.
“Our ability to beat load shedding this winter still depends on our collective collaboration and to this extent, we’ll be launching the energy saving campaign this May asking all of us to play our part in this regard,” Marokane said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 04/26/2024 - 13:18